Ueli Steck was a Swiss mountaineer nicknamed "the Swiss machine," and his mountain climbing achievements were nothing short of legendary. He set speed records for some of the most difficult climbs in history. In 2012, he even reached the summit of Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. Later in 2015, he summited all of the 82 Alpine peaks above 13,100 feet, and he did it in less than 62 days. In 2017, Steck and his climbing partner attempted to summit Everest via the dangerous west route which is known to have produced more climber deaths than successful summits. During their ascent, his climbing partner (Tenji Sherpa) was struggling due to frostbite, so Steck decided to continue the climb alone. He managed to make it to Camp 2, but then split from a French climber to try and solo climb a nearby peak known as Nuptse. Tragically, on Sunday, April 30, 2017, "the Swiss machine" slipped and fell 3,300 feet to his death. He was just 40 years old, in the best shape of his life, and he made his wife a widow.

His decision to climb alone cost him EVERYTHING!

There's one major lesson that we as Christian men need to learn from this tragedy ...

NEVER CLIMB ALONE!

Unfortunately, that's exactly what many Christian men are trying to do on their spiritual journey, and that's why so many of them continue to fall and suffer devastating consequences. It doesn't have to be that way for you. As a Christian man, you're on a sacred journey of following Christ to become a godly man, and that's no easy climb. Scripture makes it clear that you constantly need the help of your brothers in Christ to reach the summit of your full potential in Christ.

We are commanded to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another because it brings healing.

James 5:16

We are commanded to gently restore brothers who've fallen into sin and help them carry their burdens.

Galatians 6:1-2

We are commanded to daily encourage one another so that we don't become hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13

We are commanded to not neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some.

Hebrews 10:25

These are all things we can't do alone!

When Christian men follow those clear biblical commands, it brings healing, freedom, growth, and success to their spiritual lives! They advance towards the summit of their full potential in Christ. They transform into godly men who make a lasting impact upon their families, churches, communities, etc. ... but here's the problem ...

Most Christian men can't find a safe-place to experience that kind of godly connection, support, guidance, and accountability with like-minded Christian brothers (not even in their churches). I believe that's the primary reason why so many Christian men remain stuck in sinful addictions like pornography. They're trying to climb alone and it won't work. Been there ... done that ... and have the scars to prove it!

God's Word repeatedly makes it clear that every Christian man needs to be connected and climbing with like-minded Christian brothers who can help each other overcome their sinful addictions and reach the summit of their full potential in Christ.

In his famous Ted Talk, Johann Hari said,

"The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It's human connection."

He's right, but he didn't come up with that truth. He basically discovered what God's Word has been saying for thousands of years ... that we can't do it alone!

YOU NEVER CLIMB ALONE!

What are the benefits of joining a Climb Team?

The main benefit is that you no longer have to climb solo. When you join a Climb Team, you enter into a community of brothers who have your back whether you're fearful, struggling, falling, succeeding, whatever. You now have a safe place to be completely real about who you are, what you've done, and what you're going through. You are accepted just the way you are, but also challenged to grow and become better. You will be learning and growing ... "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

Will the conversation be topic driven or will we study God's Word together?

The main topic of our conversation during weekly meetings is YOU. Climb Team Meetings are not a bible study, but the Bible guides everything that we are doing with Climb Teams. Each week Team Members are asked to answer specific check-in questions about their life and how their week went. They are then individually prayed for and given some words of guidance, support, encouragement. The guys in the group are expected to study God's Word on their own and with their church. On their own they will also be working through Joe Dallas' book, The Game Plan (The Men's 30-Day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity). They are encouraged to talk about what their learning in the group chat, and their team leader is available to answer any questions they may have about the reading.

What if I'm already involved in a men's group?

If you’re already in a men’s group that is asking you the hard questions about your personal purity ... is holding you accountable ... supporting you ... encouraging you ... praying for you ... and giving you solid biblical guidance ... then stick with it! You don't need a Climb Team because you already have one.

Why should I join a Climb Team if I already have Covenant Eyes?

Covenant Eyes is an awesome tool that we use and highly recommend, but it's doesn't provide everything you need to heal, grow, and succeed in life and relationships. Christian men need to be connected and climbing with other like-minded Christian men to talk, listen, learn, pray, and support one another through the good, the bad, and the ugly. They desperately need biblical community. It’s the major missing element for most Christian men that's holding them back.

Why does it cost money if this is a non-profit ministry?

Because it costs quite a bit of money to operate our non-profit ministry. We simply can't afford to do it for free. You should also view your Climb Team membership as an investment in yourself, your marriage, your family, your ministry, etc. (not a cost). And $40 per month breaks down to just $10 per week. Most guys spend more than that on one trip to Chipotle or Chick-Fil-A. Like it or not, our spending often reveals what's most important to us. Maybe you need to give up a subscription to Netflix or some other form of entertainment? What's most important to you?

We do offer some financial assistance to eligible applicants.

If you have further questions, contact us:

info@narrowtrail.com